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Spaying
or Neutering Your Dog-Get The Facts... Be Responsible

Bringing a new puppy or dog home is a huge commitment and a
three-fold responsibility. You now have a commitment to your dog,
yourself, and to your community. Spaying or neutering your pet is
just another responsibility that you must think about when
bringing a puppy or dog into your home. And, if you've already
brought one home, the time to start thinking about you and your
pet's future together is now.

Unless you are a professional breeder, there is no reason not
to have your dog spayed or neutered. Let's take a look, quickly,
at the differences of each.

Spaying vs. neutering
A female dog is spayed and a male is neutered. The operation is a
removal of the animal's reproductive organs. The operation tends
to be a little more expensive for female dogs as the veterinarian
has to make an incision and sew up the animal's lower abdomen. In
a male dog, however, the scrotum is opened and the reproductive
organs are removed. The operation is also a little quicker for
male dogs. The age and health of your dog will cause recovery
time to vary.

A long time ago in the United States, older dogs were the only
one's spayed or neutered as they had a greater chance of survival
than puppies. However, with advances in sterilization, the
operation is usually done when a puppy is around six months of
age. Some veterinarians will do the operation a little sooner,
around three to five months. Older dogs can also be spayed or
neutered, but you should talk to your vet about the appropriate
time, especially for female dogs. The operation should occur well
after a heat cycle (Estrus).

There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your dog.
Female dogs undergo a heat cycle for six or seven days, three
times per year. While female dogs, unlike cats, remain somewhat
controllable during Estrus, it will save you headaches, clean up,
and every male dog in the neighborhood coming over for a visit to
your front yard. Spayed or neutered pets live longer, happier and
healthier lives. Spayed dogs (females) have no chance at
developing uterine or ovarian cancer, as these organs have been
removed. Studies show that spayed animals have a less likely
chance of developing breast cancer.

Neutered dogs (males) are less likely to wander off and
explore. The dog will also be less aggressive in his play or when
outside on his own. He will not play as rough, nor will he bite
as often. This, of course, all depends upon the training your dog
receives as well.

Spayed or neutered dogs tend to be more affectionate and
loving. They usually display calmer temperaments and are more
enjoyable to play with and be around. Neutered pets are less
likely to urinate on every tree or post they pass. Does it cause
weight gain?

Some people believe that spayed or neutered animals tend to
have problems with weight gain. While spayed or neutered animals
tend to be more docile, there is no relationship with the surgery
and weight gain. In other words, it all depends upon proper
playtime (exercise) and diet, not whether your pet is spayed or
neutered.

There are many places that you can contact regarding
information or to schedule an appointment for your dog. Contact
an animal shelter, your vet or contact SPAY USA. There are grants
and monies available for those who may not have the funds to pay
for all of the surgery. The responsibility rests with you. This
small step will mean a more fulfilling life for you, your dog and
not to mention, for your community.

About the Author:
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in
canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about
dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at Dog Gifts and
Toys for Dog Lovers.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

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RecoveryPets.Com vs.
Other Pet Registration Services
For those pet owners who do not know what a pet
registration service is, or the benefits they provide, this
article will try to explain these services. Pet
registration is how lost pets get returned to their owners,
it as simple as that.

Lemon Tetras
Glassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon
pulchripinnis) could appear to be just a sunbeam flashing
through your community tank if not for background elements
like plants and driftwood. Another member of the large
characin clan, the lemon tetra has a fairly elongated body
like its smaller relative the neon tetra and like neon's and
other characins, the lemon tetra does best if kept in small
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Female Dog
Care
As there are certain health issues that affect only the
female dog, care should be taken to ensure that these are
fully understood before deciding whether or not to buy a
bitch. The most important dog health care concern is that of
spaying.

Does The World Need More
Cats?
Aren't they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing and
crawling little kittens leaves only the fiercest cat hater
indifferent. But does the world need more cats? A cat is the
second most popular pet in the world.

The Positive Benefits of
Dog Day Care
Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner's who have
busy lives and are not able to socialize and exercise their
dogs. Owners benefit from a guilt free day of work or play
and can come home to a calm, relaxed pet.

Responsible Dog
Ownership
Owning a dog is a serious responsibility, one that should
not be taken lightly. But what exactly does being a
responsible dog owner mean? Well, when broken down, it is
easy, but it does involve a few different elements.

Tips For Traveling With
Your Dog
Whether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort, or just
visiting the in-laws for the weekend, many people are
choosing to take their dogs with them when traveling. Land
or air, there are many things to take into consideration.

Two Tails Are Better
Than One
Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now that's a
handful. If you have puppies then break out the biscuits
and get ready for some serious repetition.

Dog Beds for Larger
Dogs
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and
planning when owners purchase a permanent dog bed. Even
though large dogs can be just as lovable as their smaller
canine counterparts, they require a more complex sleeping
situation than small dogs.

Decorating for The Cat
Owner - How to Protect Your Possessions
The first thing a cat owner should know about home
décor is to keep it simple. Cats are completely
convinced that they are in charge, that the house and its
possessions belong to them, and that they have every right
to break rip or shred anything they like.

Dog Worms -- Don't Let
Them Get Started
There may be no warning before dog worms strike. It was
about two AM, when beneath our bed the new puppy we'd
brought home from the pound just a month earlier began
screaming.

Birdie Body
Language
Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic body
language out companions use to communicate with us. But
it's usually the more negative ones! However, our buddies
use a multitude of moves to express lots of emotions, both
positive and negative.

Pampering Your Favorite
Puppy
I was doing some research on dog health when I came across
a site for Dog Spa's. This soon set me on the path of
thinking of all the different ways you could pamper your
favorite puppy.